Vae Victis

[sIFANA] As she lay asleep, much of the staff had become lax in their observations of Lorec and Tyra, seeing as how they were both charted to make a full recovery quite soon. However, unbeknownst to the staff, a supernatural event only heard of in legends began to occur. Sifana, seemingly waking from her deep slumber, exited her father's bed side as she regained consciousness. Her movements were slow, sluggish. Almost unnatural and unnerving. And where her eyes were usually bright, cheerful, and jubilant, they were icy, cold, and.... Seemed excited. Walking around to Tyra's bed as the warrior laid unconscious, Sifana, without garnering the attention of the medical staff, pushed Tyra's bed closer to Lorec's, able to do so as the beds were indeed on wheels. After doing so and leaving enough space so she could stand between them, Sifana would enter said space between the two warriors. It was then that she grabbed Lorec's hand, and Tyra's hoof. It was then, that this became a metaphysical phenomenon that transcended the understanding of many within this world. Looking blankly, Sifana's head would drop, and seemingly stare at the ground.... __________ ( In the threshold of dreams...) [LOREC] Seemingly waking up, Lorec found himself in a semi-dark area, with a heavy fog obscuring his vision. Immediately, he reached for his backside. No sword. Was this it then? Had he actually died after the battle? Was it that he had pressed to hard during the contention with Tyra, and had passed on, leaving his daughter to the wolves in the living world? Or.... Was this simply a dream? Of course, he could not see or feel Viruden near his soul... So that must mean.... " hello?" He called out, in a thunderous voice that demanded to be heard. " is there anyone there at all?" _________________________ [uNKNOWN] The strange pony only walked slower and closer towards fluttershy. Noticing that she had fallen comatose, it was unknown what his intention was. Noticing strix as he trotted, the strange one ceased his forward movement, and simply stared at the griffon. The orbs stopped with him, floating sullenly in the air as a feel of melancholy and loss was evident. His gaze was one that was most... Disturbing. His eyes, they seemed.... Almost dead, and yet, full of life at the same time. They were a very light silver, similar almost to a dead fish. And they were as piercing as a hawk's. was this a living being... Or a walking corpse? Suddenly, the pony spoke. " Do you hear them, griffon..... They are weeping.... Tell me. Were you the one who extinguished them by enkindling this flame?" close enough for strix to tell he was a unicorn, the stranger's eyes only became more disturbing with the flame's reflection dancing within them.

@@Unicorncob Bangcolt was obviously becoming a home for those who had a knack for obtaining grievous bodily injuries. If no one had known that now, then the point would be driven home by the critical condition that Lorec and Tyra had arrived in at the infirmary, via the med-team retrieval unit that had been sent out to recover them. Getting to work immediately as per standard procedure that had been established, Tyra was immediately placed upon a fresh bed within the infirmary, her axe harness and helmet removed and placed to the side on a table neatly so that the doctors would not be impaired in any way, shape, fashion, or form as they prepared to use their healing arts on Tyra. A separate medical team had to make special accommodations for Lorec, as his massive girth would not allow for him to lay on a normal sized bed for ponies. So in order to remedy this, two separate beds were pushed together and Lorec, with a great struggle from the med team, was lifted onto this makeshift bed. While his legs were dangling off of it somewhat, the bed would have to make due. His bed had been placed right beside Tyra's. Not intentionally, but to conserve space. Was it coincidence, or fate? Either way.... One being, quite a distance away in an unknown location, found this to be quite favorable, and would cast his overwhelming spark into the raging fires soon enough. But until then, the medical staff would do its job, oblivious to the fact that a mighty power was looking to use its influence to communicate with those he deemed fit to make himself known to. ___________ @@J.R. Kazas had continued the life energy transfer for Vera, until he could see that her body was starting to mend some of its wounds, courtesy of Kazas's life energy that he had bequeathed to her. Leaning close to her face as to check her breathing, a great weight was lifted from his shoulders when he confirmed that she had stabilized. While not an exact expert in the hypocratic field, Kazas most certainly was no slouch in his basic knowledge. However, this was all he could do for her. The rest, would be left up to whatever staff they could muster, as many unicorns skilled in white magic came towards them. Upon Lorec and Tyra's arrival, Kazas was hesitant to leave Vera, but was reassured by the astounded medical team who had witnessed his act that they would monitor her condition and act to any rapid changes accordingly. Leaving her in their care, Kazas would then meet with Sifana, Alrahm, Vorrin, and Syuren, who had arrived shortly before the others. Sifana was crying, and a nervous wreck upon seeing her father and her friend's condition. Syuren was attempting to comfort her and was holding her back from interfering with the medical team. Vorrin and Alrahm were quite nervous, and in their silence, held dear to hope that their compatriot would indeed pull through this. " we're losing him!?!? How? We've stopped the bleeding and his bones are being mended as we speak, along with the healing arts repairing the muscle tearing! So someone tell me, what's going on?!?!?" Commotion from Lorec's bedside, broadcast from the senior specialist in charge of his caretaking. None of them knew exactly what was wrong. And how could they, when the ailement was also coming from the soul? Hearing this, Sifana would go into a panic and rush frantically to her father's side, pushing through the med team with formidable strength that was unbecoming of a girl her age and even plowing past Syuren to do so. Crying out to her father as she grasped his hand, she was shedding tears quite profusely. " father...!!!! Do-don't leave m-me-eee! " She sobbed as she spoke, and braced her head against her father's large forearm, crying into it. The pony staff attempted to remove Sifana from him, but failed miserably due to her incredible strength. Even if not by blood, one could tell that she was Lorec's child, through and through. Seeing the commotion and fear, Kazas would act quickly, pushing a medic aside without thinking. As with Vera, he would lay his claw against Lorec's chest, feeling the giant's heartbeat. The white aura appearing around him yet again, Kazas would begin to transfer life energy to Lorec as well, revitalizing his soul and giving it the push needed to pull through. While the healing arts were in fact repairing his body, Lorec's soul had used much of his life energy to draw upon the power of Viruden. With the soul weakened, the body would eventually cease to function. This is what Kazas sought to remedy. After a while of this, Kazas would stop the transfer when Lorec had become stable. Standing next to Sifana, Kazas leaned toward her and put a claw on her head gently, scratching it. She looked up at Kazas only to be greeted with the ashen griffon's signature warm smile. " uncle Kaz....?" " Sifana, you needn't worry. Lorec will indeed survive this. You are the daughter of a hero, Sifana. Believe in him and you needn't worry. There is indeed a reason he is called ' Lorec the unkillable'." He said, comforting the small taurette. Smiling at Kazas, she looked up at him, unable to speak, but with beautiful blue eyes that suggested a very thankful Mentality. She hugged Kazas, and after a moment, let go. The med team was astounded by what had transpired. Checking on Lorec after all necessary healing arts had been performed, the diagnosis was drawn. A full recovery was imminent! The same had been announced for Tyra as well, as the healing arts would definitely speed up the recovery time rate. After a long, grueling battle, both would be changed warriors from this, and for the better. As Kazas was returning to Vera's general area, Alrahm spoke with Vorrin. " ' Tis a very interesting pairing of specimens... Do you agree Vorrin?" Vorrin simply shrugged, not actually caring about what Alrahm had to say as he knew what would be coming if he answered; A long, unending rant. Alrahm, obviously annoyed, decided not to speak further on the matter, and simply asked Vorrin another question. " So Vorrin, what are you going to do?" " I'm staying with the commander." " and may I inquire into as of why?" " because.... The commander's apparent love interest was attacked. With him performing a life energy transfer twice, he may not be able to defend himself or her when and if the assailant returns. And besides..... I want answers." " Answers beg questions. What information do you wish to obtain from the young mare?" " I want to know who is hunting her, and why." " oh?" " she is more trouble than she's letting on." " hmmmmmm...... Well, do as you seem fit. I shall be heading home to entertain family." " don't fall down the stairs." "..... You can be quite a cheeky one, Vorrin. Nevertheless, I wish you well in your endeavors.... Stay safe. Syuren and Sifana may want to stay here with yourself. At least I can rest easy knowing that Kazas is in exceptional hooves." "...... Did you just call Ren exceptional?" With a grizzled laugh, the old pony Mage turned to exit out of the infirmary, and began to head home. Vorrin would take a seat in the infirmary area, watch over Kazas and the others. The medical team would soon disperse from around Vera as they drew the conclusion that she would in fact pull through. It was indeterminate of how much rest she would need, but one thing was for certain: Kazas was NOT leaving her side. Feeling drained from the two transfers, Kazas had pulled up a chair near Vera's bed and began to watch over her, a claw gently grasping her hoof. Eventually falling asleep, he rested his head on the edge of Vera's bed, and proceeded to fall asleep, praying under his breath, even in his dreams, for his love. Sifana, after the med team had dispersed from Lorec, had actually crawled into his hospital bed and propped her head up onto Lorec's chest. His steady heartbeat was quite comforting to her, and seeing Tyra alright made her quite jubilant. Even still, the raw emotion of events had gotten to her, and even she fell victim to the need of some shut eye. Syuren, having gone to the bathroom, was most unfortunately out of luck, as when he had gone to use the lavatories, he had neglected to check for toilet paper in his stall. In vain, he yelled out. " HEYYYY!!! SOMEONE PASS ME SOME S*** WIPES! HELLO?!?!? AW HELL NAW, THIS AIN'T COOL!" _______________________________ @ @@Fractured @@Unicorncob ( near fluttershy's burning house) [uNKNOWN] From almost seemingly out of nowhere, a presence was heading towards Fluttershy's refuge. Twas in fact a pony, slowly strolling along as if they hadn't a care in the world. This pony appeared to be a dusty traveller, wearing a long, brown and tattered cloak that covered his entire body, even with a hood that somewhat masked his face. Interestingly enough, this pony had a strange object upon his backside. It was seemingly, a large rod that gave support to a sphere-like object on the end. However, no pony had any way of telling what exactly it was, as it was covered in what appeared to be ancient and yellowing gauze. From this icon, a thick length, made of several layers of said gauze, acted as a strap that wrapped around the pony's shoulder, torso, and back, keeping the rod in place as if it were a backpack. From under the hood, a horn was poking out. Obviously, this was a unicorn. While this seemed like a rudimentary, run-of-the-mill adventurer.... The phenomena happening around him screamed otherwise. Walking towards the torched abode, any who could see the unicorn would notice very eerie, white, glowing orbs all around him, floating with him as he walked. They left trails as they traveled in the air of luminescent light that eventually faded away about two feet behind each orb. Roughly the size of a hoof, these orbs only added to this stranger's uncanniness. They were numerous, and somewhat bright, almost as if acting as lanterns to light his way. As the pony slowly walked toward what was a shelter for animals, the unicorn spoke. It was obviously a male, given the voice. One that seemed calm, collected, and disturbingly.... Detached. Especially since a collapsed Fluttershy was obviously in his view. Stepping in closer, he simply spoke to himself. " so.... This is the source...."

@@Unicorncob As the two warriors lay collapsed by each other, a medical team was dispatched from the arena's infirmary to retrieve and provide medical attention to the duelists. Having to form an eight-pony team, two Earth pony medics were sent out with a normal-sized stretcher towards Tyra. However, six Earthpony's had been sent out for Lorec, seeing as how his massive girth would probably impair a lesser number's ability to properly carry him. Gently lifting Tyra and Lorec onto their respective stretchers, the medical ponies rushed them back to the infirmary quickly, but carefully. The blade pieces of Lorec's sword were also retrieved and would be delivered to his bedside, as well as Tyra's axe being delivered to her. -------------------- [KAZAS] Having pushed his way through crowds of shocked onlookers, Kazas would eventually make his way to the infirmary with Vera, slowly draining of life, upon his backside. With haste, Kazas would manage to rush through hospital staff and slump in a fit of panicked frenzy, desperate that his lover not perish in vain. Managing to get her onto an unused gurney in the contestants' quarters despite the protests of various nurses and doctors, Kazas immediately placed his claw upon the forehead of Vera, right below her horn. As he did so, a white ethereal aura surrounded him, and eventually would engulf Vera as well, flowing around her gently. What Kazas was doing, was transferring his own life force energy to Vera from his soul, using Ezerepth's soul as a bridge between them. This transfer would aid her body in all functions regarding organic repair, essentially overcharging her soul in order for the body to accelerate its processes. What this meant, of course, would be that cuts that would days to heal, would close in merely a matter of minutes, and broken bones would mend in only a few days. However, as it was his own life energy that he was transferring to Vera, Kazas himself would be weakened exponentially. And of course, with him being a griffon, many around him would question this feat, as some around him were already starting to stare with jaws agape.

Trying to keep any semblance left of composure, Kazas frantically kneeled down beside her to assess the damage. From what she had said, it was quite obvious that she had been attacked. By who or what, would likely have to wait. While Kazas was no expert, he had seen enough to at least know that these were left by the kiss of steel. Discerning that The neck wound was the most life-threatening, Kazas, without thinking, turned to grab his mantle, and with his claws, ripped off a long shred of cloth from the bottom. Leaning down towards Vera, Kazas applied pressure to the cut on her neck, attempting to curb the bleeding enough so the cut could coagulate. But even with his effort, it would not be enough. He would have to perform a life energy transfer. However, this was not the time or place. Wrapping the torn mantle around her neck tight enough to where the bleeding would slow, but where she could still breathe, Kazas, with some strained effort, managed to get her off the ground, and onto his backside. Around them, some of the civilian onlookers were observing in frightened silence. His goal being the infirmary, Kazas yelled in a dramatically saddened, panicky squall. " Please move! Clear me a path, I have an injured pony with me!"

Lorec, forcing himself to sit up through all of the pain and absolute exhaustion, was facing towards the crumbling fort in the distance. Intently, he stared, as not only was the fort in his field of vision.... But so were the two statues that had assisted him in delivering his final strike. And of course, many of the statues that had popped up near the grave markers were also in his sights. For one final moment, the amber surge returned to engulf Lorec, and his eyes would shine to match. As if he were commanding this macabre force of stone warriors without even speaking or signaling, they all turned, and slowly marched towards the forsaken fortress. All but two of them. The pair that served as Lorec's aid. They simply stood still, looking at Tyra and the Giant Minotaur stoically and still, arms to their sides and standing tall. It took some time for Lorec to answer. In fact, he did not speak until this mysterious stone army had reached the fortress. However. When they finally completed their journey, it was then that he decided to answer Tyra's final question. " Letting go. " Having made contact with Viruden's vessel, Lorec raised his left leg, and smashed it into the ground as hard as he could. A crack formed from the impact, and began traveling towards the two statues, passing them and heading straight towards the fort. As the ground splintered, the cracking snaked around the crevice that Lorec had formed earlier, and kept up with its trajectory. When whatever Power Lorec had loosed towards the fortress had finally fufilled its journey's goal, an amazing feat began to happen. The fortress began to collapse in on itself with a massive shockwave resonating throughout the entire area, sending up dust and earthly debris. The stone minotaurs were all taken with it as heavy slabs of stone, bulwark, and iron all came crashing down upon them. The fort was no more. Only a pile of rubble would play as a memorial to its glory. As Lorec finished this motion, he smiled, and gently fell backwards, hitting the ground once with a loud thud. He slowly closed his eyes and smiled. A genuine smile. He had enjoyed the battle, and like a child whom had spent all day playing heartedly with his companions, would sleep in both peace, and excitement, knowing that a new day would mean another oppritunity to play once more. However, the two statues from earlier were still there, staring at the pair, and watching intently. there was something peculiar about them. The one that looked very much like Lorec was smiling. And the female Minotaur statue with soft features looked directly at Tyra, and nodded. Carried through a breeze, a gentle female voice could be heard, directed at Tyra. It spoke only two words. " thank you.... " The voice was one that seemed to be filled with regret, but also one that was truly indebted and grateful for whatever service it had felt rendered to it. The two statues then slowly crumbled, and fell away as dust to rejoin the Earth. As they did so, the female statue gave a warm, appreciative smile to Tyra, and nodded before fading back into the womb of the world. ____________________________ [KAZAS] Caught between having to follow Vera or stay and try to help Lorec once the match was over, Kazas was indeed a mess when Vera had found her way to him again, albeit this time, bloodied. Almost unable to speak and his mouth dropping open widely, he collected himself within a moment, if but a little scattered still. Turning his head to the others, he gave orders. " Al, Ren, Vorrin, take Sifana and go to the hospital to meet with Lorec!" Not making any comments, all of them nodded in acceptance of the order, and began to make their way towards the infirmary. Kazas, afraid and in shock, Ran up to Vera and hugged her while trying to pull her down gently to the ground so she wouldn't exert herself any further. Not knowing the extent of Vera's injuries, Kazas's paranoia got the better of him, but justly so, considering the physical condition of his beau. " Vera... What in the name of Avae happened to you?!? Who did this?!?"

Lorec breathed heavily, eyes focused on the sky. He gave a long, protracted sigh as his body lay limp on the ground. " I guess you could say that there were multiple reasons, Krigare...." He paused. " First and foremost.... Is the reason that is most obvious to any warrior with a sense of honor and understanding of other warriors. I lost what was most precious to me here. I dishonored them and myself.... I let them die...." At this point, Only Tyra would be able to see what was going on with Lorec. He was shedding very slight tears, but never a sob or indication otherwise of the Minotaur's state of mind. " It was only then that I had come to terms with my own past, and what I truly was... Tyra, when two or more forces go to war, it is an unspoken truth that those who wage war do so not only for the ambitions and dreams of their leaders, but for their own dreams as well. All soldiers cast their small spark of a dream into the greatest fire, of whom is the one who leads them, to keep their own flame and the greater fire burning and alive. When I was younger.... I indulged in the ending of dreams, and held not a single regret for a life that I took. To me, war was just a game. And I? A masterful player who partook often, not caring of the consequences to others." He paused again, and closed his eyes. " .... It was not until my own comrades and loved ones were taken from me, that I realized how much pain I must have dealt out in over two decades. Up and coming warriors, fathers, sons.... I ended many dreams as the beast of Saduaris. Not only was the pain of failure thrust upon my back, but even the guilt of ending so many has nawed upon my soul like a vulture pecking at a rotting carcass..." Opening his eyes once more, his tears had stopped as soon as they had begun. " War, like hunting, is in my nature. I love the thrill of battle and the adrenaline that a half-decent fight could produce. However, I could no longer enjoy a fight when every time I swung my sword.... I was reminded of everything. The Beast could no longer find an escape, and these feelings began to build up because I was too afraid and too prideful to admit that I enjoyed war for the sake of war, even though it was through war that I lost them. My pleasure was a guilty one." The soul of Viruden, the Ursa King, seemingly seeped out of Lorec as an amber Aura, and back into the broken blade that had landed beside him. " As time passed, however... I would come to adopt Sifana, the daughter of slain comrades, as my own, a promise I made to her parents as they left our world for Yülver's long ago. Wishing to never again know the pain of that loss and also seeking a better life for her, I would come to Equestria, meeting many compatriots who I fought beside, including Kazas, Syuren, and the other keepers of primordial souls... They provided me with shelter, companionship, and.... Forgiveness." He smiled slightly, still looking upward, watching as clouds floated in the artificial arena's sky. " In time, with the help of all of them, I'd finally be able to forgive and accept myself for what I am. But the rage, the sadness, the sorrow... It remained. I needed an outlet, someone worthy of me drawing my sword against, in order to release all of that negativity... I chose you, Tyra." Lorec sighed heavily again, and even looked relaxed.... Even content. " When I saw you... It was like I knew that you were the one I wanted to fight. The one I needed to fight. One of the only few who could tow the line against everything I had. And you did just that. And because of that.... I was able to let go of everything as my allies and beloved watched from the great beyond. Not only have you won against me, but you also helped me purge myself as we battled.... As this was the first fight that I have truly enjoyed in a long, long time, Krigare. But it doesn't in there..." Again, his breathing, slow and heavy, pervaded for a short amount of time. " I considered you a friend before this fight even started, Tyra... And I wanted to be sure of one thing. That you were strong enough to act as the indomitable wall that shields your cherished loved ones. That you would never suffer what I have suffered. You reminded me greatly of my son, Byüln.... Hell, you're almost just like he was. Strong, enduring, but with a heart of gold. I desired to test you in battle and put you through absolute hell to see if you could wage war in even the most psychologically, mentally, and physically demanding conditions. And not only did you do that... But you achieved victory in the process, along with countering power that was to even myself, new, as I've never been able to tap into it that deeply... Your beloved never need fear another's wrath as long as you are with them." Once more, he paused, and then, with a slight smile on his face, he spoke one more time. " and here we both are... Bloodied... Battered... But reforged and all the stronger for it. Krigare Tyra...... Please... My sword. I need it.... For one more strike. One last send off to the past. I can't reach for it, but as long as I make contact with viruden's vessel..."

Lorec, having thrown all of his remaining strength into the swing, felt as though it took ages for it to land. As time seemingly slowed for him, it felt as though his life had began to flash before his eyes, reliving memories almost as if they were the exact events occurring for the first time, and not just echoes from a past long gone. He saw all the battles he had ever taken part in. He witnessed the legend of the Saduarian beast grow evermore gargantuan. He experienced once more the joy of family, the idolizations from others, and many other pleasures of life. He revisited the agony of how he had lost all of it, along with the guilt of having done so. And finally, with the clashing of blades, he was brought back to the present, and reveled in a new sensation. The feeling of acceptance and atonement, along with finally being able to feel true pride once more. But not in himself. In Tyra. When the blades clashed, Lorec was indeed stopped by Tyra's swing. Slumped over as he had used his entire body to swing what was left of his zweihander, Lorec was now only held upward by Tyra's opposing weight. That is, until he shifted slightly over to the side, and continued to fall to the ground, right beside Tyra. Turning over as he fell, he landed hard on his back, and the sword dropped out of the great minotaur's mouth. Breathing heavily and gently, it was as if he were a great bear hibernating, save for the fact that even still, he was in fact conscious. Beaten bloody and pushed past the absolute threshold of his limit to achieve what even he thought himself incapable of, he could only but smile sorrowfully at the mare who had defeated him. If she wanted the truth behind why he wanted such a hellacious battle that could have easily killed him, then he would more than provide an answer. And besides, he would need her help to deliver the last strike toward his true goal... " Krigare Tyra.... You stand victor over the Beast of Saduaris." --------------------------------------------------------- The acolytes of Lorec's unit only sat in silence. No screaming or cheering, no fists raised or hysteria. Only observation in silence as the battle had finally concluded. Near them, the gentle cries of a youth could be heard. A young female Minotaur, crying out for her father and her first new friend to end the battle. Kazas, Syuren, alrahm, and Vorrin sat in silence, with Syuren trying to comfort her as though he were an older brother. " Papa... Tyra... Please stop fighting and come back to me...."

Still slowly walking towards Tyra, Lorec and the two statues seemed as though they were a family with the way they walked together. With their hands holding his, any with a semblance of knowledge of Lorec's past could put the pieces together and know who these statues were representative of. Stopping abruptly, the two statues let go of his hands, no longer holding them. Lorec's arms continued to dangle lifelessly to his sides as he gazed at Tyra, who was some distance away. As the two statues had stopped and loosened their helping grip, Lorec kept going, building up speed, eventually enough to amount to a running charge. This was the final gambit. Bringing back his neck to swing as Tyra does, Lorec put all of his weight, strength, speed, and heart into the charge, and went for a final, brutal downward slash towards Tyra with what was left of his might. ------------------- [ KAZAS ] @ Kazas, still with a concerned look, turned his head back towards the fight. " Alright Vera... But the offer is still upon the table if you wish to speak of it."

As the ground rumbled ever so slightly within the alotted area, so too, did a strange occurrence begin to take place. As Lorec's life force aura wisped about him lightly and calmly, the stone from the ground around the graves began to shift slightly. Almost as if they were great beasts arising from the ocean, stone statues began to seemingly form and rise upward from the ground near the two graves that held Lorec's family. They were in the image of minotaurs... All around the area, the same phenomenon took place, with these stone minotaurs being formed from the ground upward, encircling the two in a large radius. They seemed not to be hostile, and only stood still. These statues had an excessive amount of detail to every one of them, with what seemed like expertly chisled details such as armor, distinct facial features, and even stone weapons. The two that were rising near Lorec's fallen body soon took on a very distinctive appearance as well. The one to the left was obviously female, with soft features and what the stone would imitate as long, flowing hair frozen in time. The statue to the right would harbor a Minotaur that would only be a few inches shorter than Lorec, and even favored the last golden horn's appearance greatly. Though this stone army would not move, the two near Lorec did. The female Minotaur statue, and the statue that favored Lorec heavily, gently grabbed Lorec under his arms, and helped him to stand upright, being gentle as he was weakened. After being helped upward, Lorec turned to face His sword and Tyra... His eyes were once again lit with the golden tint, pupiless. He had a very absent and stoic look upon his face, almost as if he were actually unconscious and dreaming, potentially even sleepwalking. His eyes concentrated on the blade, Lorec would then do what no one else could've possibly expected; with all of his might and with a lion's roar, Lorec stomped on the blade of the zweihander with such force, that it snapped the blade into two clean pieces! The longer portion of the sword would remain hiltless and on the ground. The hilt, however, with about a fourth of the blade's length still attached, flew into the air, above Lorec's head. Opening his mouth and pointing his head skyward, Lorec caught the blade in his mouth, and looked directly at Tyra. The two statues, the female statue on his right and the favoring statue on the left, then did something unexpected; they threaded their fingers with Lorec's now defunct hands, and held them gently with Lorec in the middle of the two. It was then that they began walking slowly with Lorec towards Tyra, aiding the heavily wounded beast of Sadauris to his end goal, as the army of statues that encircled them watched onward... Was it possible that this was from Lorec's uncouncious mind tapping into his memories of them? _________ @ Kazas, still worried about Vera, leaned in close as the fight continued on. " Vera.... You do not need to hide anything from me. I've suffered from nightmares too, on occasion. If you want, we can talk about it when we are alone, alright?"

Lorec would eventually come to the conclusion of his march, standing before the two golden horn grave markers, and looking over them in respite. It was then that he would drop his sword, which caused a loud thud in its great weight. As if he were a tired pack mule on the verge of dehydration in the desert, Lorec would fall forward, arms limp, hitting the ground hard between the two graves. Breathing slowly and heavily, he spoke not to Tyra, but to the deceased. " To my son Byüln, who grew to be mighty in battle and who was my pride... And to my wife Venna, who soothed my soul and bandaged my wounds... To my fellow golden horns, who fought beside me, drank with me, and reveled in victory with me... I have finally done it with the help of the one who stands behind me... The burden of it all... It no longer weighs me down. As I am sure that you all have moved on to the never-ending conflict of yülver, so to am I now no longer chained to my past. I do not know the time or day... But I will see you all again someday. And when I do make it to the plains of the conflict... The beast of Saduaris will Do battle alongside of you once more. But until then... I beseech you all... Grant me the strength... To keep living and fighting." It was then that the goldish-brown aura had returned. However, this time it was calm, flowing smoothly. Not at all the same violent maelstrom of life force energy that had been paraded earlier. And as it was, the earth began to shake slightly. All around them, the areas near the graves were stirring, most notably, the two that Lorec had fallen between... ---------- [ Kazas] @ Having been watching the fight with a knowing, calm, and collected face, Kazas was more than moderately surprised when Vera seemed to be having a spell of a terrifying dream. Reaching over to her, Kazas gently wrapped his claw around her and pulled her close, somewhat shaking her in order to make Vera come to. " Vera! Vera! Wake up! It is only a nightmare!"

Lorec had been dragging himself through sheer force of will in order to complete what should have been a short journey to the graves. His left arm dangled almost unaturally to his side, swinging back and forth once more in a macabre motion of twisted flesh and broken bone. His right arm, bleeding almost as badly as the other, would also be hanging lifelessly, had he not been dragging his zweihander on the ground. Slowly, he stopped, and looked over his shoulder towards Tyra, eyes no longer glowing, and his scars no longer exuding the radiant, golden light that they had been just moments before. His face was one of empty stoicism, almost as if he were not even truly conscious at this point. It was then, with a slight quiver in his voice, that he spoke... " But it was, that the beast who came from Saduaris would return to the site of his greatest failure, to reconcile with his beloved son, wife, and honored compatriots anually. While this was a show of love and reminiscence from him, it was also his way of punishing himself for not being mighty enough to guard those he held dearest. The dishonor, the loneliness, and the anguish would bring forth a desire to become strong enough to protect the stray cub that he had taken as a daughter, as well as those who had accepted him into their brood as one of their own..." Lorec then turned away from Tyra again, and began the slow death march to the graves, but not before his next, declarative statement. " it is by myself that I wish to convene with my family, Tyra. And when that is done... I shall have two strikes left to deliver. Only one, shall be meant for you. And by overcoming this one strike...You shall become a legend, and a savior. I suggest that you save your strength.... For when that time comes."

Easing up on the deadlock, Lorec weakly rose upward, almost barely able to even stand. However, his gaze was still fixated upon the graves behind them. His face, no longer that of a snarling beast, was returned to that of a peaceful stoicism as his eyes concentrated on those stone markers. Pulling away from Tyra, he meekly backed away, allowing her to come forward and rest as he ended the deadlock. Both of his arms were now dangling lifelessly to his sides, with his zweihander dragging about the ground as Lorec pulled it. Bloody, beaten, and almost as if he were in a trance, he began walking forward again, but was not intent on attacking Tyra. His gaze still fixated on the graves, that appeared to be his destination.

Again, Lorec would increase the flow of Viruden's power to his right arm, allowing for even more strength to be drawn from his body's potential. rippling unnaturally once more, his arm and sword slowly bore down upon Tyra..... However, he was unable to even budge her, even with all of his might, his body was broken and strained to the point of where many others would have died, had they been in his position. Attempting to pour even more power from Viruden into his being, his right arm would ripple even more unnaturally, and gain even more strength. But what good was that when one's own body is pushed passed the threshold of mortal power and into the realm of higher powers, with a coil that was actually never meant to play host to the soul of a divine beast? Seemingly almost instantaneously, Lorec's good arm finally failed to live up to his brutal demands, and the rippling became violent, indeed. The muscle tissue, which could be observed, was seemingly tearing itself apart within Lorec's right arm. Unable to keep the pressure up, Lorec dropped to one knee, and his right arm finally blew out, with various sinews of his veiny arm ripping open as if a sword had kissed his arm many times over, and blood trickling down all over. Yelling out in agony, Lorec somehow still managed to grip his sword, but would be unable to swing the blade at all. Finishing his groan, he didn't even bother to look down at Tyra, as even in kneeling position, he was quite substantial compared to her. Instead, he just looked over her, at two stone obelisks that was some distance from them. Two graves that stood side by side.... ----------------- @@Flash Sentry Naga was almost seemingly enchanted by this... Strange pony. He definitely stood out in a crowd, but so did she. Naga responded in her philosophical thinking, smiling. " oi, but a label that ain't a label to anything else but yer own soul. After all, if we didn't have names, we'd be callin' each other ' pony ' as we call the trees trees!"

His sword, clashing with Tyra's axe, was stopped dead in its swing upward, with an unprecedented effect being taken upon Lorec's right arm. The muscles within the arm rippled with the collision of the swing. Having overused Viruden's power in order to keep himself from collapsing, Lorec's right arm, and indeed his very body, was starting to give out. At a stand still with Tyra, he coughed up blood downward toward her face, before attempting to force her backwards once again.

Slowly picking up speed as he had began a crescendoing charge, Lorec roared fiercely as he he was dragging his blade across the ground, the same as Tyra. No worse for wear than she was, it was probably already apparent that, given both of their conditions, Tyra may very much have won this battle. But even with his body nearly broken, he would not stop until he could no longer swing his sword. Lorec, at the peak of his charge, began twisting in the middle of it, spinning and bringing the dreaded blade upward in a forward, uppercutting slash towards Tyra, wanting to use the centrifugal force as a counter to his inability to swing the sword properly as of now.

Lorec, still slowly walking toward Tyra, lifted his zweihander off of his upper back and let the blade hit the ground as he continued walking, dragging the sword along the earth, making a terrible screeching noise as he slowly traveled toward Tyra, still allowing her time to stand. It would seem that, even as far gone as Lorec was, his honor code was still intact, refusing to take advantage of a downed opponent who was still ready to clash with him. With the soul of Viruden still in him, pumping energy throughout his entire body, Lorec coughed up blood as he continued his turtle-like advance towards Tyra.

Coming back around full circle from the kicking motion, Lorec, with his right arm still receiving the brunt of the power he internalized from the Ursa King, and his scars still glowing eerily. Almost immediately following the finishing transition, Lorec once again dislodged the blade from the earth, and mounted it upon his shoulder again. As Tyra began crawling for her weapon, Lorec walked excessively slow towards her, as if to give her time to retrieve her armament. A towering, wounded beast, the way Lorec walked towards her was... Unsettling. His left arm dangled back and forth, lifeless. His side was was bleeding profusely from the axe wound even still, and the cut under his eye had covered the lower right portion of his face in blood. And even still, he walked towards her as if none of it even pained him, or even mattered. And even more unsettling was the wide grin on his face as he approached her.

Lorec, the same as before, was sent reeling forward once more, a victim of the same tactic. However, having learned from his previous experience, Lorec planted his sword in the ground and used it as a pivot with his good hand as he stopped himself from tripping up even further. Swinging back around to face Tyra as to not take another shot in one of his sides, Lorec began to unleash a powerful, sweeping kick from his right hoof in an attempt to catch Tyra by surprise. It's range was quite impressive, given the minotaur's stature, and would easily sweep the area behind him, where Tyra would be, a counterattack to a counterattack.

Lorec painstakingly began his charge, scars still glowing from him internalizing all of the Ursa king's power. His left arm simply dangled toAnd fro as he charged at Tyra, as useless as a broken wheel from a wagon. Beginning his swing as he charged in, Lorec would attempt an overhead swing coming around from behind his neck, slashing downward at Tyra diagonally again. @ Naga, seemingly dumbfounded by this mare, glanced at the golden ticket that would allow him to enter the establishment. Still in the rain and getting soaked as his thoughts were processing, he eventually snapped out of it, and ran towards the hippie mare, eventually catching up to her. " oi, before ya leave like a fledglin' Phoenix takin' to the higher seas, can I at least have the name of the gracious one who had mercy on little ol' Naga? And better yet, this ticket is good fer two, right?... Not invitin' you to the halabaloo is certainly bad karma, especially since yer the one it was meant fer! C'mon I'm sure it'll be fun!" Naga said, excited to gain entry into the dance at last.

Lorec almost snarled at her when she had finished speaking. To him, throwing the fight while he could still swing a sword was out of the equation. " And throw away everything I stand for? You would dare have me dishonored... On the very burial grounds of my kith and kin? I already carry much shame, and I refuse to burden myself with an ounce more! If this battle destroys my body, so be it! I've waited long enough for this day! " The familiar aura around Lorec had forced its way back inside of him, and it was evident that another change was taking place. Lorec's scars had began to emit the same kind of glow that the aura around him earlier had given off. It was almost as if he had taken all of the power that he had produced from the Union of his soul and the ursa king's into his very core. All of it. None was being wasted. And quite potentially, it was the only thing holding him up at this point. Raising his sword with his right, non-dominant hand, he swung it over his head and onto his shoulders once again, letting the weight of the great blade rest upon him. Behind him, the great stone ursa had began to fall over in the opposite direction, almost as if the beast itself had suffered a mortal wound. The earth buckled against the shockwave, but no dust. No debris. Just a stone bear, starting to crumble behind Lorec. The minotaur's muscles in his right arm were bulging at an extreme rate, with veins becoming almost as thick as small twigs throughout said arm. He was diverting much of Viruden's energy into the arm, to compensate for his other. Slowly, and with his left dangling and useless, he began walking slowly toward tyra. " I do not retreat."

Lorec almost snarled at her when she had finished speaking. To him, throwing the fight while he could still swing a sword was out of the equation. " And throw away everything I stand for? You would dare have me dishonored... On the very burial grounds of my kith and kin? I already carry much shame, and I refuse to burden myself with an ounce more! If this battle destroys my body, so be it! I've waited long enough for this day! " The familiar aura around Lorec had forced its way back inside of him, and it was evident that another change was taking place. Lorec's scars had began to emit the same kind of glow that the aura around him earlier had given off. It was almost as if he had taken all of the power that he had produced from the Union of his soul and the ursa king's into his very core. All of it. None was being wasted. And quite potentially, it was the only thing holding him up at this point. Raising his sword with his right, non-dominant hand, he swung it over his head and onto his shoulders once again, letting the weight of the great blade rest upon him. Behind him, the great stone ursa had began to fall over in the opposite direction, almost as if the beast itself had suffered a mortal wound. The earth buckled against the shockwave, but no dust. No debris. Just a stone bear, starting to crumble behind Lorec. The minotaur's muscles in his right arm were bulging at an extreme rate, with veins becoming almost as thick as small twigs throughout said arm. He was diverting much of Viruden's energy into the arm, to compensate for his other. Slowly, and with his left dangling and useless, he began walking slowly toward tyra. " I do not retreat."

As the dust slowly cleared from Lorec's impact crater, the behemoth Minotaur could be seen, although, he was in a most unperferable condition... Hunched over, Lorec was standing, using his sword almost like a cane, putting weight on it with his right arm. His left arm, however, hung limp, and was bleeding profusely, along with the wound in his side. He had indeed sacrificed his arm in order to save himself from greater damage. Trying to move his dominant arm was futile. It was, at this point, out of commission for the fight. Not only was the arm seemingly broken, but muscular blowout was evident within it as well... Lorec, still resting and hunched over, was even coughing up blood profusely at this point. But even still, he said nothing, gave no indication of wanting to stop the fight. He stood there, a wounded beast, looking at Tyra defiantly.

As Lorec was about to hit the ground, he let loose his fist towards the ground with all of the tension built up towards the blow. Sending his fist downward, Lorec impacted upon the ground, sending a heavy spray of debris, stones, and dust into the air around him. A crater, ten feet in radius and three feet deep at the lowest point had been created from the epicenter of Lorec's landing... Was the Minotaur indeed okay? The after all, the debris and the dust was covering much of the landing zone...

@@Unicorncob Lorec, continuing his rampage of carnage, prepared to swing with all of his might.... Until, of course, Tyra had decided to change up the game plan once again. Instead of charging to take the blow head on, Tyra had stepped to the side at the last second and stuck her hoof out in order to cause him to fall. Succumbing to the raw instinct of the Ursa King and his body starting to tear at itself due to the strain, Lorec was unable to adapt to this otherwise uncanny tactic. And being unable to adapt, Lorec would fall victim to the oldest strategy of warriors: being tripped. Failing to foresee this, Lorec was sent head forward into the stone wall. The result was quite substantial; his massive girth and force of the charge had caused his entire body to cave through the stone wall, leaving a hole about his size in the giant Ursa, revealing the light of day to Tyra. Now there was only one problem.... Lorec himself was suffering a fall that was about sixty feet from the ground. And it would be within seconds that he would hit the Earth. However, during his fall, he pulled his left fist back as if he were going to punch at the very ground itself, almost as if he were going to use his arm as a cushion and a brake to stop him from receiving the full impact. Was he really willing to sacrifice a limb to keep fighting? ------- @ Naga smiled widely in exuberance due to Tree Hugger's invitation. Almost speaking a form of complete equis gibberish, he expressed his excitement and thankfulness quite loudly. " Oi, yer a blessin' from the spinner of Samsara, ya are! You'd be doin' this monk a favor o' ten life times!"

Naga had been trying to obtain a glimpse upon the party goings as he peered through a window. Of course, the rain was making the attempt fairly difficult, as the water that was flowing downward on the window obscured much to him. Even still, one pairing stood out in the blur. The first familiar silhouette was that of a great, Snow White pony, with a mane flowing as a river, and multicolored as a rainbow. An alicorn. Naga's eyes grew a bit wider as he realized that there was only one princess who could've possibly matched that description; Celestia. A princess of Equestria, here of all places? The one she appeared to be speaking to was a tad bit more obscure, but was obviously not s fellow alicorn. From Naga could see, it was a Pegasus sitting at the same table. And it was one of which was a very familiar shade of blue, with black streaks in his hair. " By the samsara, be it Night Tracer that my eye spies through the glass-" As he was busy mumbling to himself, trying to piece together what he was seeing, Naga was then interrupted by a quaint, green mare with locks that were indeed reminiscent of his own, save that hers were thicker, and lacked the golden rings at the end of each braid. Naga, turning to face her as he heard her compliment, ceased all matter of intense thinking on the matter, and smiled warmly at her. Speaking in a semi-excited tone, Naga returned her compliment with one of his own. " Oi, and a fine mane ya have yerself, miss! Why, yer a splittin' image o' some of me dear ol' friends back in Eiquet, that ya are! Of course, if yer anything like me and tryin' to place yer physical vessel inside that halabaloo, then ya might be straight outta karmic luck. I got turned away for lookin' like a hippie... Wha'ever a hippie is. I haven't been this shunned since I went to Saduaris, heh!" Of course, it was very apparent that he had to force a smile. His eyes would betray him, and a glint of disappointment could be found in those light-brown eyes of his. @@Unicorncob Lorec immediately began charging with his blade dragging across the ground at Tyra, making a dreadful screeching noise as it caused sparks to fly upward as if it were two flints being struck together to make a flame. He roared loudly at her, becoming more beastlike in his attitude. However, it was also apparent that, while powerful, he was slowing down. And not only that, it was almost as if he were giving up all reason and substituting it for pure, unadulterated battle rage. Perhaps even the simplest tactic, such as tripping him, could work at this point...